This was an informative blog article: revkevnye/2012/10/08/why-hymns-are-better/. I (Laramie) appreciate the authors concern for musical, lyrical, and theological excellence in the songs we sing in worship. I can already see that this will be a popular read over the next week or so, so I want to offer a response with 2 points. 1. One of the authors issues (and his most discussed issue) was about person. I actually observe the opposite to be true. I find that more hymns are in 3rd person than 2nd. For example, great hymns like Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise, To God Be the Glory, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens Adore Him, Jesus, What a Friends for Sinners, Wherever He Leads Ill Go, and many more are in the 3rd person. Regarding the top 20 on CCLI, 9 of them are in 2nd person, with several of the other 11 making shifts in person between verses and choruses. A balance of 2nd and 3rd person congregational songs in a worship gathering is a good thing. We state truths to God and others about who God is and what hes done, and we respond to those truths. 2. Be careful about generalizations. Hes right that many modern songs are weak musically, lyrically, and theologically; however, if you take time to dig, there are hundreds, if not thousands (more than you could ever need), of modern songs that fit the criteria. As a music pastor, I sift through music all the time looking for the best modern songs to add to our diet of worship. Since I can only effectively introduce 10-12 songs a year, I am never left wishing there were more. Currently, I have a folder on my computer of 20 songs (and growing) that are rich theologically, beautiful lyrically, and excellent musically. My only disappointment in any of those songs is that I will never be able to introduce them all. (Side note: I have a systematic approach, one that Im happy to share, to evaluating new songs that allows my mind (what I know of God according to the Bible) to inform my decision. Often we can make decisions based on our feelings, emotions, or an experience, but those things should be informed by the truth of Gods Word and not the other way around.)
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 22:08:32 +0000
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